Cigarette lighter



Feb. 9, 1932. c. M. BECKER CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed Jan. 26, 1931 Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES CHARLES M. BECKER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CIGARETTE LIGHTER Application filed January 26, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in electrically actuated cigarette lighters and in particular relates to an ornamental statuette resembling a girls head which is tilted upwardly and which contains a cigarette lighting element adapted to light a cigarette when projected into the open lips.

The use of cigarette lighters which are provided with electrically operated heating elements is becoming more common but the devices heretofore known are usually utilitarian rather than esthetie and are provided with an exposed element and a circuit controlling means or exterior switch which elements are not ornamental and are usually unbecoming and objectionable.

It is the principal object of this invention to construct a cigarette lighter in a fanciful statuette resembling a girls head, upwardly tilted, and having parted lips, which head is gracefully mounted by a curved neck onto an ornamented base and which is adapted to be operated by grasping the neck to raise the head to the clgarette to be lighted, the i open lips showing the heated element, which element is automatically energized as the statuette is raised.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electrically ignited cigarette lighter element mounted in a fanciful statuette which is ornamental in appearance and handy to use, and in which the switch and other elements are enclosed within the statuette but operable from the outside thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ornamental cigarette lighter of the electrically actuated type in which the circuit controlling means is normally out of observation and which is automatically placed in operation when the lighter is lifted for use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified electrical construction for cigarette lighters in which the heater element is supported by one of the conductors of the electric circuit at a position spaced from the base.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cigarette lighter element which is less liable to injury, furnishes a high Serial No. 511,197.

degree of heat, and which is adapted to be partially projected into an opening through which the cigarette may be ignited.

Another object of this invention is to provide a weighted statuette cigarette lighter which is provided with a base switch which is held normally in open circuit by the weight of the lighter.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description thereof taken in connection with the attached drawings which illustrate a preferred form of embodiment of this invention and in which;

Figure l is a side elevation partially in section of a statuette cigarette lighter, such section being taken substantially on the line 11 of Figure 2 on a smaller scale.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the electrical element showing its mounting 011 the base, the section being taken on the line 22 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the cigarette lighting element with the resistance element and wiring connections shown in diagrammatic form.

Figure 4: is a plan view partially broken away of the resistance element.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the resistance element.

The cigarette lighter is preferably made in the form of a head 10 representing and resembling the upturned head of a woman with parted lips through which the heat element 12 may be seen. The statuette 10 may preferably be made hollow and of a suitable metal to give it substance and to hold it in the upright position.

The statuette is particularly constructed with reference to its ornamental appearance. The head is represented to be of a young woman with short, centrally parted hair. The nose and eyes are carefully molded on artistic lines and the lips are particularly constructed in a slightly tilted manner. The chin and neck outline are also fashioned for beauty and the lines blend in an exceedingly smooth manner to represent a true head. The

felt-covered base 14 so that it may be placed on other furniture without marring. This base 14 covers the insulating supporting plate 16 on which the electrical control is mounted. The base 16 is preferably provided with a plurality of eyelets 17, 18, and 19, the eyelets 17 and 19 being connected into an electric circuit by the wire '20 having the plug 21 of the well-known variety. Eyelets 18 and 19 are connected one to the other by a -U-shaped switch spring 22, and the eyelet 18 forms one pole to which the resistance element 12 is connected. The switch spring 22, being U-shaped, is adapted to flex repeatedly without fatigue, and is operated by the switch control plug 25.

is connected to the eyelet 17 and when the switch 22 is in the closed position, thecurrent will flow through the resistance element 12 generating suificient heat to light a cigarette.

This construction is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The insulated wire 23 extends from the eyelet 17 to the resistance element l2 and a second conductor 24 extends from the eyelet 18 to the resistance element 12. The conductor 24 is preferably of a large gauge copper and is suificiently rigidto securely position the resistance element 12 between the spaced lips 10a in the statuette 10. The heavy copper may be readily formed and as there is nothing to contact with it there can be no short circuit and the resistance element will be held in firm position.

A switch control plug 25 is inserted in the eyelet 19 and is provided with a head cooperating with the switch contact arm 22. The

plug 25 is-of an insulating material and is adapted to readily slide in the eyelet 19 and when the switch is closed it will project beyond the bottom of the felt 14 covering the base. Due to the natural Weight of the statuette, the switch plug will be normally forced upward and will then space the switch arm .22 from the eyelet 19, to which, one of the wires 20 is electrically connected. "The elec-.

trical circuit will thus be broken which is the normal condition when the statuette cigarette lighter is supported on a base. If it is desired to light a cigarette, "however, it is merely necessary to grasp the statuette and raise it a sufiicient amount'to permit the switch 22 to close and the lighter will then be energized.

The resistance element 12 is shown in further detail in Figures 4, 5, and 6, and is adapted to be supported by the heavy conductor 24 which is wound around a bolt 26 in a depression in the element which is in turn secured by the nut 26. The element is preferably made of fiber or porcelain or other insulating material which is not effected by heat changes and is provided with a double groove around the periphery in which a fine resistance wire 28 is wound. As shown in Figure 3, the exposed portion is intermediate the end of the loop and thus a double amount of heat element is exposed with less danger of wire breakage. A mica or similar guard 29 is preferably wound on the outside of the element, covering the exposed wire to prevent deterioration or destruction of the wire and this guard is preferably apertured as sown in Figure 2. A wire frame 30 is sufficient to secure the mica guard 29 on the element.

The element is preferably V-shaped, offering a smaller point which although not sharp is tapered to project as far as possible through the head of the statuette and which concentrates the heat thereby ofiering a max- The other end of the resistance element 12 imum of heat surface which is highly satisfactory for lighting cigarettes.

The lighter although not heavy, conveniently opens the controlling switch circuit when at rest and the spring switch arm will automatically close the circuit when the lighter is raised. The lighter is attractive and ornamental and not only possesses an an electrical heater element inside said head and externally open through said lips, a circuit controlling unit inside said head, comprising a stationary contact, a U-shaped spring contact, and a plunger projecting through the base of said head and normally maintaining said U-shaped contact in noncircu'it closing position whereby, when said head is raised the circuit is closed and said heater element energized.

.2. A cigarette lighter of the class described comprising a body portion, an insulated base, a plurality of electrical terminals .on said base, and a heater element including two rows of resistance wires, means to connect said heater element in circuit with certain of said terminals, means to connect other .ofsaid terminals in circuit with a source of current,

and a U-shaped switch adapted to close the circuit between said heater element and said source of current, and a plunger element adapted to normally space said switch in open circuit position, said plunger element adapted to permit said switch element to spring into closed circuit position when said base is raised above its support.

3. An ornamental cigarette lighter of the class described comprising a head portion having eyes, nose, lips, and mouth portion substantially in the shape of a human head, the lip portions being spaced and perforate, a neck portion and a separable base portion, said neck portion adapted to be grasped and carried by a hand, a heater element mounted adjacent the perforate lip portion and supported from said base, a switch control mechanism mounted on said base in circuit with said heater element, whereby the heater element and switch control mechanism may be mounted as a unit on said base prior to insertion into said head portion and means to operate said switch control and energize said heater element when said lighter is raised, whereby a cigarette projected through said lip portions may be ignited.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature to this specification.

CHARLES M. BECKER. 

